Swiveled wheel for supporting portable containers



A. F. CALLISON SWIVELED WHEEL FOR SUPPORTING PORTABLE CONTAINERS July10, 1923.

3 Sheets-Sheet Filed Dec. 4, 1924 ATTORNEY July 10, 1928. A. F. CALLISONSWIVELED WHEEL FOR SUPPORTING PORTABLE CONTAINERS s Sheets-Sheetlhallllnull F' .Dec 4, 1924 1/ 91 7 LUL l 1 11 Ju nfl ATTORNEY July 10,1928. 1,676,381

A. F. CALLISON SWIVELED WHEEL FOR SUPPORTING PORTABLE CONTAINERS FiledDec. 4, 1924 5.Sheets-Shet 3 ATTORNEY Fatented Jul 10, 1928.

om'ren STATES PATE ABNER F. CALLISON,

OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

I swrvnnnn WHEEL non sorroa'rmc PORTABLE CONTAINERS.

Application filed December This invention relates to swiveled wheels forportable containers and the like, and is particularly adapted for'use onmerchandise containers of large size, which are designed with a view tofacilitating the transfer of freight in large units to or from a freightcar, warehouse platform or delivery truck.

The general object of the invention is to provide wheels for thispurpose of simple and rugged construction, improved means for mountingthe same underneath the container,

and means for swinging the wheels to change their direction, so that thecontainer may be moved in any direction desired.

The present invention makes it possible to move the container over theplatform in any direction, and is especially useful'in transferring thecontainer to and from box cars, since in that operation the containermust be moved within the car in a direction at right angles to thedirection of its movement in passing through the door of the car.

When used on box cars, the longest dimension of the container willusually extendapproximately from side to side of the car, and its widthwill be such that it may pass easily through the door of. the car, thisbeing approximately half the size of the containers which are designedfor use on fiat cars. Containers equipped with the present invention arealso adapted to be handled on ramp tracks, or on any other loading andun loading or transferring device.

The preferred form of the invention and the principles of its operationwill be more particularly described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings forming a. part hereof.

In the drawings:

. Figure 1 is a side elevation of a container equipped with myinvention.

Figure 2 is an end elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the substructure with a portion of thecontainer shown in section.

Figure 4 is a horizontal section through one of the corner castings inwhich the swiveled wheel is mounted. I

Figure 5 is a horizontal section taken below the plane of Figure 4. J

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the invention.

Figure 7 is a vertical longitudinal section thereof.

Figure 8 is a detail View of the retaining ring.

1924. Serial No. 753,918.

Figure 9 is a detail view, means for coupling two contamers together.

The merchandise container, in connect-ion with which my invention priseslongitudinal sills 10 and transverse sills 11, in the form of I beamsconnected by corner castings 12. The side sills are also connected bygirders 13, which sup ort the floor 14, and to which are secured t ewalls 15 of the container. erably reinforced by ribs 16, and hingeddoors 17 are provided atone end of the container, furnishing access tothe interior thereof.

The corner castings 12 are formed with flanges 18 and 19 which aresecured to the I beams 10and 1'1, and each casting is formed with a.cylindrical socket 20 adapted to rotatably receive the block 21, havingball bearings 22 on its upper face on which the is shown,comillustrating the These walls are pref casting is supported. The block21 is repermit the removal of the block 21 when necessary.

The block 21 is formed with opposed downwardly extending ears 26 forreceiving roller bearings 27, in which is supportedthe axle 28 ofthewheel 29. A recess 30 is formed in the under face of the block 21 forreceiving the upperpart of the wheel 29, and the bearings 27 are solocated that the ends of the axle 28 are partially covered by the sidesof the socket 20, thus preventmg endwise movement thereof.

The block 21 is formed with a peripheral worm gear 31, which is engaged.by a worm 32, splined on a shaft 33 extending longi tudinally ofthecontainer, and journaled in the flange 19, and an ear 34 formed onthe casting 12. Under certain conditions, as

hereinafter explained, the shaft 33 is moved longitudinally to a limitedextent, while the worm 32 is held against longitudinal movement by theflange 19 and car 34.

As shown in Figure 3, two shafts 33 are provided for each container, andeach shaft extends from end to end of the container, and is providedwith two worms 32 which mesh with the worm gearson the respective blocks21, carrying the wheels 29 at that side of the container. ratchet wheelsecured to one end thereof,

and a lever 37 is provided which has at one end of the lever 37 beinghoused between the flanges of the I beam 11, as shown clearly in Figures4 and 6. A pair of opposed dogs 39 are pivotally mounted between thearms of the yoke 38, and are adapted to be held in engagement with theteeth of the ratchet wheel 35 by means of a leaf spring 40 secured tothe'yoke, and having curved seats 41 for receiving the ends of the dogs.VVhen the shaft 33 and lever 37 have been moved to the position shown indotted lines in Figure 4, the dogs 29 are easily accessible, and eitherone may be man-- ually adjusted so that by rocking the lever 37 back andforth about the shaft 33 one of the dogs will rotate the shaft step bystep in one direction, while the other dog remains inactive.

Each of the shafts 33 is surrounded by an expansile coiled spring 42,seated between one of the girders 13 and a collar 43 secured to theshaft, and this spring urges the shaft toward the dotted line positionshown in Figure 4, but the shaft and lever 37 are normally held in'thefull line position by a finger 44, which projects from a collar.45secured to a small shaft 46 journaled in the web of the I beam 11, andwhich normally hangs downwardly over the lever 37, as shown in dottedlines in Figure 6. The small shaft 46 is held against longitudinalmovement in the I beam by the collar 45 and a similar collar 47 securedto the stub shaft on the opposite side of the I beam. A cam 'arm 48 isformed on the collar 47 and projects laterally in parallel relation tothe finger 44 for a purpose which will be presently explained.

The block 21 is formed with four equally spaced radial holes 49, two ofwhich are are ranged in the plane of the wheel 29, the other two beingarranged in the plane of the axle 28. A locking bar 50 is slidablymounted in a bearing 51, which is secured to the I beam 11, and in ahole 49 formed in the casting 12, and is adapted to be projected intoone of the holes 49 to lock the wheel 29 in such a position that thecontainer maybe moved either longitudinally or transversely. Anexpansile coiled spring 52 surrounds the bar 50 between the bearin 51and a collar 53 secured to the bar, an

projects the bar toward the block 21, except when the baris positivelyheld in retracted position by the engagement of the cam 48 Each shaft 33has a.

with a finger 53, which projects laterally from the collar 53, assh'own'in Figure 7 A collar 54 may be secured to the'end of the bar 50to limit the extent of its projection.

Provision is also made for coupling the containers together when theyare being transported on trucks or on flat cars, or when they are beingmoved over ramp tracks and the like. For this purpose, each side face ofv the container is provided with a pivoted dog 55 and an eye 56, whichcooperate respectively with an eye 57 and dog 58 mounted on the adjacentcontainer, as shown in Figures 1 and 9. A rock shaft 59 is mounted oneach side ofthe container, and is formed with a crank portion 60, whichpasses through a keeper 61 formed on an adjacent dog 55 or 58, as thecase may be, and each end of the rock shaft is provided with an arm 62by means of which it may be rocked to raise the dog, and release the eyewhich it engages. Each dog is provided with an engaging lip 63 havingits outer face beveled, so as to automatically lock as the twocontainers are brought together. a

As above explained, the wheels 29 are nor- SIU mally held either in alongitudinal or transverse plane, and the locking bar 50 engages in oneof the holes 49. The shaft 33 is held in-its innerposition, as shown infull lines in Figure 4, and the lever 37 is contained between theflanges of the I beam 11, and retained, in opposition to the pressure ofthe spring 42, by the finger 44, which normally hangs by gravity in theposition shown in dotted lines in Figure 6. When it is desired to shiftthe wheels 29 so as to move the container in another direction, thefinger 44 ,is swung upwardly, releasing the lever 37 and permitting thespring 42 to force the shaft 33 outwardly, bringing the lever 37 to theposition shown in dotted lines in Figure 4, and at the same timeengaging the cam 48 with the finger 53, retracting the locking bar50,-and leaving the block 21 free to be rotated by means of the worm 32.One of the dogs 39 is then set so as to engage the teeth of the ratchetwheel 35, while the other dog 39 is left free. The lever 37 may then bemanipulated to rotate the shaft 33 and worm 32 to turn the wheels 29 inany direction desired. As soon as the block 21 commences to turn, thefinger 44 may be lowered, leaving the lever 37 in its outer position,and as soon as the block 21 and wheel 29 have been turned through anangle of they are again locked automatically by the projection of thelockingbar 50. The finger 44 may then be momentarily raised, while theshaft 33 and lever 37 are restored to the position shown in full linesin Figure 4. The wheels 29 will now be in position to move'the containerin a direction at right angles to its side of the container.

tions 'with a plurality of blocks,

While I have shown-and described the invention in connection with amerchandise container designed to facilitate the transfer of freight inlarge units, it is apparent that a similar construction may be used inconnection with other portable containers or vehicles. It .is alsoapparent that many modifications may be made in the detailedconstruction and arrangement. of the various elements of the invention.It is my intention, therefore, to include all such variations andmodifications within the scope of the appended claims. I

What is claimed-is: T

1. In a device of the character described,

the combination of a frame, a block mounted therein for adjustment abouta vertical axis, a supporting wheel journaled in said block,

a shaft having a gear connection with said block, manually operablemeans for rotating.

said shaft to turn the block'about its axis, said block having aplurality of radial holes, and a spring-held bar automaticallyprojectable into an one of said holes as it comes in front 0 the same topositively stop the block when it has reached a predetermined position.

2. In a device of the character described the combination of a frame, aplurality of blocks mounted therein for adjustment about vertical axes,a supporting wheel journaled in each block, a shaft having gear connecmanually operable means for rotating the shaft to simultaneously turnthe blocks which are geared thereto about their axes, each of saidblocks having a plurality of radial holes, and a stop bar for each blockautomatically proljectable into one of the holes thereof to positivelystop the block when it reaches an one of a plurality of predeterminedpos1 tions. I j

3. In a device of the character described,

. the combination of a frame including a casting having a cylindricalsocket, a cylindrical block rotatable within the socket and forming oneof the supports for the frame, a wheel journaled in and supporting-theblock, a shaft journaled adjacent the block and having a gear connectiontherewith, manually releasable means for automatically and positivelystopping said block as itreaches a predetermined position, and means forrotating said shaft to rotate the block when the latter has beenreleased, said stopping means being operable to again stop the block' assoon as the latter has been rotated through a predetermined angle.

4. In a device of the character described,

the combination of-a frame, including a cast ing having a cylindricalsocket, a cylindrical block rotatable within said socket andformtherein" for adjustment ing one of the supports for the frame, awheel journaled in and supporting the block,

a shaft having a gear connection with said ing having a cylindricalsocket, a cylindrical block rotatably' mounted within said socket andforming one of the supports for the frame, a wheel 'ournaled in andsupporting said block, a s aft journaledradjacent the" block and havinga gear connection therewith, a lever journaled' on s'aid shaft andhaving a ratchet connection therewith for rotating the same, said leverand shaft being normally housed within the frame when not in use, butmovable outwardly there- I from into operative position.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination of a frame,including a casting having acylindrical socket, a cylindrical blockmounted within the socket and forming one of the supports for the frame,a

' wheel 'ournaled in and supporting the block,

a sha t journaled adjacent the block. and

hav ng a gear connection therewith, said I block having a plurality ofradial holes, a locking bar projectable into one ofsaid holes to lockthe block when'it has reached a preloo determined position, manuallyoperable means for rotating said shaft to turn the -and having aratchet. connection therewith,

said lever and shaft being normally housed within the frame when not inuse, but movable outwardly therefrom so that the lever may be operated:

7. In a device of the character described, the combination of a frame, ablock mounted therein for adjustment about a vertical axis, a supportingwheel journaled in said block, a gear formed on the block, a shaftmounted adjacent the block and having a gear splined thereon andin meshwith the first mentioned gear, a lever connected with said shaft nearone end thereof, said lever being normally housed within the frame,means for projecting said shaft lon itudinally to move the lever out ofthe frame where it may be operated, said lever being operativelyconnected to the shaft soas to rotate the same and thereby change thedirection of the wheel.

8. In a device of the the combination of a frame, a block mounted abouta vertical axis, a supporting wheel journaled in said block,

block about its axis when the locking bar character described,

I ashaft mounted adjacent the block and having a gear splined thereon,said block having a gear formed thereon with which the first mentionedgear is held in mesh, a ratchet wheel secured to one end of the shaft, alever journaled on the shaft and carrying dogs adapted to cooperate withthe ratchet wheel, said ratchet wheel and lever being normally housedwithin the frame, means for moving said shaft longitudinally'to projectthe ratchet wheel and lever from the 7 frame so that they may beoperated to rotate the shaft and thereby change the direction of thewheel.

9. In a device of'the character described, the combination of a frameincluding I beams connected by corner castings, each of said castingshaving a cylindrical socket, a cylindrical block rotatable within thesocket and forming one of the supports for the frame, a wheel journaledin and supporting the block, a gear formed on the block, a shaft mountedadjacent the block and having a gear splined thereon and-in mesh withthe first mentioned gear, a ratchet wheel secured to one endof the shaftand normally housed within the casting, a lever journaled on the shaftand normally housed between the flanges of one of the I beams, dogscarried by the lever and cooperable with the ratchet wheel to rotate theshaft in either direction, and means for moving said shaftlongitudinally to project the ratchet wheel and lever from the frame, sothat they may be operated to rotate the shaft and thereby change, thedirection of the wheel.

10. In a device of the character described, the combination of a framehaving blocks mounted therein for adjustment about a vertical axis,asupporting wheel journaled in each block, a gear formed on each block,a shaft having a plurality of gears splined thereon and in mesh withcorresponding gears on the blocks, a ratchet wheel secured to one end ofthe shaft, a lever journaled on the shaft and carrying dogs cooperablewith the ratchet wheel to rotate the shaft in either direction, saidlever and ratchet wheel being normally housed within the frame, andmeans for moving said shaft longitudinally to project the ratchet wheeland lever from the frame, so that they may be operated to rotate theshaft and thereby change the direction of the wheels.

11. In a device of the character described, the combination of a frameincluding I beams connected by corner castings, each of said castingshaving a cylindrical socket, a cylindrical block rotatable within thesocket and forming one of the supports for the frame, a wheel journaledin and supporting the block, saidblock having a plurality of radialholes, a locking bar projectable into one of said holes to lock theblock when it has reached a predetermined position, a gear formed on theblock, a shaft mounted adjacent the block and having a gear splinedthereon which is in mesh with the first mentioned gear, a ratchet wheelsecured to one end of the shaft and normally housed within the casting,a lever journaled on the shaft and normally housed between the flangesof one of the I beams, dogs carried by the lever and cooperable with theratchet wheel to rotate the shaft in either direction, and means formoving said shaft longitudinally to project the ratchet wheel and leverfrom the frame, so that they may be operated to rotate the shaft andthereby change the direction of the wheel when the locking bar has beenretracted.

12. In a device of the character described,

the combination of a frame, a, block mounted therein for adjustmentabout a vertical axis, a supporting wheel journaled in said block, saidblock being provided with radial holes, a locking bar projectable intoone of said holes to lock the block in a predetermined position, meansgeared to said block for adjusting the same about its axis, said meansbeing normally housed within the, frame but projectable therefrom intoposit-ion for operation, and unitary means for retracting the lockingbar and simultaneously releasing the operating means to permit thelatter to be projected from the frame.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixedmy signature.

AlBNER F. CALLISON.

